Tips for new laptop

[paul]

Hi all, and happy new year!

I need to buy a new computer, that I would use for audio processing. I need a laptop, because I'm always back and forth between the rehearsal room and my very small home studio. That said, despite laptop, I would like to have maximum performance. A big laptop would not be a problem, as long as I can carry it. Backlit keyboard would be appreciated. For the rest...fast multi-core CPU and nice thermoregulation.

I want to install KXStudio on it, I have a small Scarlett USB interface, and I would like to use it both to record, and to play live.

So, advice? Has any of you recently bought a new good machine? Any brand you prefer? Are we already past the quad-core? Does it matter?
I know absolutely nothing of hardware, so any tip is appreciated.

I don't have too many budget limits. Just, it would maybe nice to get it without Windows installed (as I wouldn't use it), if that can lower the price.

Thanks, and play on!

[JohannesTress]

Hey, I'm running a thinkpad (t420) and I'm using it for similar purposes and I'm quite content with the device. I'd consider buying a t440(s if you prefer ultrabook-size) or t540. The advantage of Thinkpads are the very long garanty time and the good hardware support. I use the thinkpad with a RME Babyface in cc-mode and several midi-controllers.

The other idea is to buy a Dell XPS (13/15) with ubuntu preinstalled or to look here:
https://system76.com/laptops

greetings!

[blst]

I would recommend a device with Express Card slot, non-glare display, exchangeable battery and many CPU cores.

[paul]

Thanks for the answers!

The Thinkpad seems promising.
The Dell XPS looks also very pretty. The problem is that both (latest models) are only dual core (4 threads). Would that be a serious drawback for audio (even if the cores are fast)?
I'm doubting. Maybe it doesn't matter...I have no idea.

[ssj71]

Audio processing doesn't usually lend itself well to parallel processing, so most typically you want as fast a core as possible. 2 cores at 3.5GHz will often be better than 4 cores at 3GHz.
For RAM it depends on whether you are using large sample libraries but it never' hurts to have as much as you can, more often machines are limited by their CPU speed. The other factor is hard disk speed if you have lots of audio tracks to in your mix.
I have generally simple singer-songwriter or small band type recordings so the only limit I've ever noticed is the CPU speed. This is on an old 2.8GHz Core2 Duo Thinkpad T400 with 2GB RAM. My "new" desktop is 3.0GHz Core2 Duo with 4GB RAM and feels a bit smoother. Neither one has a SSD but I haven't had a need for it when I only ever have one or two dozen tracks.

So it depends on what you are doing but I'd think that for most typical bands those dual core machines would be fine.

[aprzekaz]

Im using the T530 with expresscard slot. It has the backlit keyboard and no glare screen and core i5 (dual core) I can run a really low buffer size if I'm just manipulating audio and a few plugins or recording. If I'm running any softsynths or a lot of intense processing I use 1024 samples and get no x-runs. works really well.

[emarsk]

Another Thinkpad user here: T440s with SSD drive.
The clickpad is not the most ergonomic thing I ever used, but I'm quite happy for the rest.
It has an antiglare screen, a must for me (and others, I see), which ruled out most of the competitors.
The only caveat is that I have to disable USB3 from the BIOS configuration, because it doesn't work well with the USB audio interface.

[ssj71]

The clickpad is not the most ergonomic thing I ever used

Use the trackpointer. I really miss mine when I'm using my macbook at work.

[paul]

Thanks to all for the reply.

So what do you think, Thinkpad T450s, or XPS 13 2015?

For the almost same specifics (512 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM, Broadwell i7, backlit keyboard) the XPS is much cheaper, plus it's smaller and with touch screen.
What do you think makes so much difference in price?

Edit: also the X1 seems very good, but again more expensive. Suggestions? Which one runs best on linux?

Edit 2: wow, they are also doing sputnik (https://sputnik.github.io/) for the new XPS 13!

[emarsk]

The clickpad is not the most ergonomic thing I ever used

Use the trackpointer. I really miss mine when I'm using my macbook at work.

Yes, the trackpointer is actually quite good and I use it sometimes, especially for drag and drop.
Reading other comments, though, it seems that it too was easier to use when the trackpad had separate physical buttons, instead of being a clickpad.

[ssj71]

The clickpad is not the most ergonomic thing I ever used

Use the trackpointer. I really miss mine when I'm using my macbook at work.

Yes, the trackpointer is actually quite good and I use it sometimes, especially for drag and drop.
Reading other comments, though, it seems that it too was easier to use when the trackpad had separate physical buttons, instead of being a clickpad.

Ah, mine has the separate buttons. I've been worried they wrecked it since I saw the new design. I'm trying to pend decision till I actually try it though.

[paul]

I was looking at the T450s, and I've seen that there are the following options for hard drive:

-500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm, 2.5"

-128GB Solid State Drive, SATA3

-180 GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA3 OPAL2.0 - Capable

-256 GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA3 OPAL2.0 - Capable

-512GB Solid State Drive, SATA3 (Ships in 4-5 weeks)

I would be interested in the last option. But is it slower? I don't understand if the ssd model would be different from the 256 and 180 GB options...what do you think?
(Or would it be even better to get - say - 256 and upgrade in the future?)

[ssj71]

Shouldn't be slower than the other SSDs. Just bigger. (And more expensive).

[paul]

I finally bought a laptop, Thinkpad T450s. (i7-5600, 8 GB RAM, 500 GB SSD).

In case other people need to choose, go for it! I'm very happy with the computer, it's light, comfortable, fast, and flawlessly Linux-compatible.
(The only thing: I had to disable USB3 from the BIOS, as I have a USB2 interface.)

I work with a buffer size of 128 (!) and I can even monitor my recordings via Jack, hearing my voice with effects already.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!

[hellska]

Hi list, nice to meet you all!

I won't open a new thred as loong as I'm looking for a new laptop!!!
I moved a few days ago to Linux from a mac bookPro and I will not come back to Apple products, at the moment I'm using an old Fujitsu laptop with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, but it's not enough for my needs.
I have a constraint for my choice:
I use an RME FW800, firewire sound card so I'm looking either for a laptop with expressCard slot or receive some advice on the use of thunderbolt/firewire adapters for those soundcards in Linux.
The problem here is that: firewire disappeared, I cannot find laptops with expressCard slot, I don't have access to laptop with thunderbolt port and Linux.
I just want to avoid selling my perfect RME to by an USB soundcard ... performance are perfect using ffado drivers with RME

Well I hope I could explain well my trouble.
Does anyone have a similar situation and a possible solution?

best
:Dan