I'm originally a Mac guy still will be using a Mac pro but needed something mobile and don't want to be limited to a MacBook pro which is slower than whats out now for pc. Can someone let me know of this laptop would be sufficient for running live seemlessly?

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Predato..._QL65&keywords=acer+predator+helios+300&psc=1

 

That depends heavily on what you want to do with it. For "normal" purposes it should be really sufficient although, if you want to spend that much money, I would go for a laptop with an Intel Core i7-8750H, which costs only a bit more, but has a lot more power (~50%!, more cores/threads, higher core speed, bigger cache). And I would recommend an external audio interface (quality and latency should be better).

 

Last edited: Jun 22, 2018

Good to know. I'll be running live and some plugs not so heavy as it would just be for starter work/idea drafting machine and finished off on the Mac. Most likely using sample and live/max packs and possibly serum and omnisphere.

 

Don't forget that the best laptop is futile if your soundcard/audiointerface can't keep up.

 

Since you want it for nothing extreme it should be enough as long you don't use many Serum/Omnisphere instances. But remember to install Omnisphere in the SSD for faster loading times ))
If you don't use an external sound card/interface you'll probably have to use ASIO4ALL with the integrated audio chipset. That wouldn't be optimal but if you don't care about a little extra latency it should be alright.

 

There is only one way to put this:
yes.

 

Do Nvidia cards not have latency issues?

 

Yeah I have a good audio interface and possibly will by a small portable one for the laptop. Most of the finishing touches will be a Mac. Just need something to use when I have an idea or something in my head that I need to lay down

 

Exactly what I would be doing that is CPU intensive

 

the macbook will run circles around this one you posted, its not slower. its the same cpu and there are faster ones available.

get a macbook pro or learn it the hard way like i did, i had a couple of those fancy toys :P

but, tell us what you want to do exactly with this machine.
do you have to run a band with fx or live-act/dj or what.

if you really need massive power you have to get a mobile workstation, not mobile gaming.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Jun 22, 2018

That laptop can handle it, but of course depending on the numbers of instances.
I'm sure there's tons of sites on the net with a lot of information about how much CPU and RAM do you need for running X instances of Serum or Omnisphere. There are "a bit" popular ;-)

 

I have a macpro and since I can transfer sessions between the Mac and PC I really wouldn't want to spend as much on a Macbook pro than I really need to. If the gaming rig I posted isn't enough to do small draft sessions then id probably won't get it but it seems like all point to yes.

PS don't get me wrong because I love me some Mac and still will be using a beast macpro but for something I would be using for draft sessions only I wouldnt want to pay the hefty price tag when I can pay 1/3 to get the same or better performance.

 

Last edited: Jun 22, 2018

Dude... wasting time AND money! I bought a used 2011 MacBookPro with 16GB Ram and 1TB HD for $600. It's my portable studio AND the Master in my Master (MBP)/Slave (Mac Pro Quad) configuration in my home studio (running VEP5 as the network/server) with High Sierra installed... and I write for film/TV.
Which means, many times I have 200+ instances of Kontakt per track/song easily... PLUS plugins all across the board... do yourself a favor and stick with Apple. They're made for us media professionals.

 

I hear you and I read debates on here why PC sucks or Mac sucks but I have a 6 core xeon macpro with maxed out ram and all 4 hot swap trays full of stuff but I'm not writing for film plus who knows, I might like PC better and knowing apple they'll stop supporting aging machines and I'll be stuck either having to buy another Mac that's going to cost the price of a Honda Civic in the near future. I'm trying to weigh out my options and don't want to be tied down to an ecosystem and see wider options.

I've also gave up on iPhones and bought a Google pixel 2 XL and to my surprise Its the best phone I've ever purchased so there's that .

 

Gaming computers are noisy and overclocked, many of them. This will get you some blue screens and plenty of heat/wind, when you least expect it

 

That's why I would buy it from Costco so I could return it if needed

 

this makes a lot more sense.

 

It does make sense and LS setup sounds like a beast but what happens when apple stops supporting his machines like they are known to do? I love my Mac but I know PCs will outrun them any day of the week in terms of performance and price point

 

Last edited: Jun 23, 2018

It will be great! Add an RME Babyface Pro and you are on your way.

 

install windows? It's good for the price. You can't beat apples screen and keyboard. Get a portable dac too dragonfly red like.