Hello,

I would like to get a laptop that would allow optimal performance for audio, video and heavy-duty graphics production. I have been looking at desktop replacements, custom gaming laptops and a whole lot more to try and come up with the optimal rig: instead, I am going round in little circles.

At this stage, I am trying to establish the right spec and to see if one laptop does it all. I'll worry about the budget afterwards and cut the spec if required. The main requirements are:

• Performance, for audio, video and graphics production: I don't want it to be weak in any of these domains.
• SSD, perhaps several in raid in raid
• Large screen (17" or bigger if available)

I'd love to add great battery life, but that's just going to make you laugh.

The one thing I am totally unsure about is whether you can get an ASIO card in a laptop or whether I will need to use and external one.

I would really value your advice and your recommendations for suitable laptops.

Thank you

rem

 

Is mobility a must have?
I'm asking this because my personal opinion is to get a desktop, i'm about to build mine

 

http://raincomputers.com/
http://www.adkproaudio.com/

Custom Audio Notebooks. Maybe it will help you.

But honestly, 17'' isnt even mobile anymore

 

what is the point to have a more than 15" laptop?
A big size laptop makes impossible to carry confortabily. If you need a lightweight desktop than Imac is ok, though the graphic performances are not top of the class. Best option is a macpro with a good gpu, an external audio board and a supersized screen.

good luck

 

This is what I got recently and I love it. Battery life is not great, but of course with the power you want that's just life. I also use an external audio interface, which is a Presonus Audiobox 44vsl, which I really am not happy with, will get something from Focusrite as soon as possible. But anyway, yeah that laptop is screaming, handles everything I throw at it without breaking a sweat, including games. And you can get it with dual drives which was a big plus for me, as I wanted an SSD operating system drive.

http://www.toshiba.com/us/laptop-finder#4294967002+25+216+260+4294948602~10~0~p_Featured

 

I'm no expert, so this could be totally wrong info, but I've heard that you can't upgrade graphics cards on laptops, so you'll have to make sure you get a pretty powerful card to deal with heavy duty graphics

But as i say, i could be wrong

 

I second that. My workstation is DELL Precision M6400 Covet 17". Let me tell you, that's a freaking beast for multimedia, no doubt.
But is it portable? God NO! 15kg monster, thick as hell.. where one would go with it?! Had to buy a cooler pad for 19" laptop, it's bloody enormous! ^^

Regarding internal sound card, just forget about it. You won't find that. Not even a bad one, let alone something OK-ish.

On a side note, Rain Computers is closing down, afaik. In fact, that's an old news. Check this website instead;
http://3xs.scan.co.uk/ I like their products.

 

probably Wont Take My advice Mac Book Pro 15'' But if your trying to be a professional

 

i have tried several laptops .. but for me .. it just MacBook Pro that fits in ..idk why

 

Personally I wouldn't go for recent laptop. Since 2010, all (except MacBook) are equipped with 16:9 screen, which is for me the worst imaginable aspect ratio. It's not good for anything, not even movies (which are shot in 2.35:1 anyway). Feels squashed, lacks vertical resolution, and 1366x768 is not even a real 16:9 resolution (it's rounded).
Much superior is 16:10, found on laptops prior 2010, offering 120px above full HD -> 1920x1200 *yes*

When you purchase laptop, the only fix is to buy external screen, whereas with desktop, any screen ranging from 5:4, 4:3, 16:10 is possible.

Currently have two laptops:

HP Elitebook 2530p (model 2008) with 12" screen 1280x800
Lenovo W500 (also model 2008) with 15.6" screen 1920x1200

Both are great and I wouldn't exchange them for any recent machine (wanted to buy Lenovo X220, but 2530p is way superior in many aspects)

 

Msi gs70

That's what i want.. I been trying to find out if its good for audio production.

I'm guessing you want a mobile laptop so i had recommend that. Most gaming laptops are super heavy like the asus ones. i have one and its a pain taking to school

 

Wow. Great response. Thanks a lot, people.

• @rflip Good question but unfortunately, mobility is a must. I'll be travelling a lot.
• @Someone @Woofer destroyer: thanks for suggestions. I knew screen size would make you laugh but you just can't do precision graphics and video work on smaller screens
• @lampwiikk: that sounds yummy. I'm going to check it out. Thanks.
• @kearnsy: that's correct for most off-the-shelf laptops, Good point.
• @8-bit: thanks for the update. Sad about Rain but will check out other link. Good to know about audio card.
• @lyric8: got nothing against Macs. All my software is PC so I would have to run Windows on Mac. Unsure about what it does to performance and glitches on audio.
• @odod: 2 votes for Mac then.
• @Andrew: thanks. You're absolutely bang on with the res issue.
• @xHitoKiri: I had that one on my shortlist before posting. Good to see confirmation it's worth looking at. Not sure it's available in the UK though.

I really appreciate all your suggestions. Still an open case for me so please keep'em coming.

rem

 

MacBookPro with SSD inside for OS ( win +mac) and an extra HD for data.
Last mBP are 64bits enable so you can add RAM power there is some 17" if I remember well.
Check to add thunderbolt aswell for fast transfer if you wish to work with an external HD too.

Don't take any MacBookAir 'cause they just have thunderbolt protocol, so if you have external stuff which needs to work only with usb or fw, you're in big shit …

Cheers

 

Thanks davea. I can't see a 17" MacBook on Apple's UK site. I can only see them second-hand. Have Apple, like Samsung, stopped doing them because of battery drain? May I ask if you've had experience of running Windows on the Mac for music production? If I go for Mac, I am thinking of using Parallel Desktop 9. Would be good to hear if anyone has had good or bad results doing just that.

 

Well If you really need mobility don't go for a 17" Laptop, because it's not practical and normally the battery will discharge pretty fast.
Another thing is upgrading a laptop is always a mission impossible thing.

So In my opinion I would say go for some MacBookPro(and i'm a Pc guy xD).

Best of luck in your choice.

 

Thanks a lot. Looks like I am heading in that direction...

 

Hi rem

this might help

but if you spent the money on a desktop of what this costs you have mind blowing machine *yes*

P.S check the spec's of the laptop 4gb gfx card

 

Hey Lukie,

I know the money would be better spent on a desktop...if only I had a choice! I'll take a look. Thanks for that.

Edit: that is a monster. I'm going to need wheels for it.

 

I recommend a Lenovo y510p, however it's only 15" (FHD though). Own it myself, and use in a similar way

 

I'm sorry to be a pain in the ass but for mobility you can't go for a 17" laptop, just go for a 15, and those MacBookPro are so light...

Cheers