I’m going to get a laptop, for several reasons, not just recording music, but I want a setup that will be good for recording as well. From the little I’ve read I understand a PC box is probably a better way to go because of the flexibilty of upgrading/changing components but I need the portability of a laptop. So I’m asking for input/advice on what to look for, what to avoid, hardware, software, accesories, etc. Big subject, I know, but I mainly want to make sure I start out with a suitable machine. Any links to useful related websites would be appreciated as well. Thanks.
I’d recommend an Apple iBook (cheaper) or PowerBook (more powerful). Very good value for the money, and perfect for recording and editing music.
I just got an Averatec laptop and a Soundblaster external sound card (the AC powered version). I like it a lot so far.
Ah yes, Apple. I should have mentioned I need to stick with Windoze OS for compatibility issues with my office systems, CAD and other software, existing documents, etc. At least I think I do.
It really all depends on what you’ll be using the laptop for (other than recording), and what your priorities are.
The Apple Powerbook or iBook may be good values (I have no experience with them). But I can give you a little info on some of the others.
Dell usually has weekly sub-$1000 deals. Not endorsing Dell, just FYI. If you’re more computer literate, you might want to try a linux flavor, since there are many excellent free packages out there. But not unless you’re very familiar with computers in general.
IBM’s Thinkpad series is good. Though a little pricier than comparable notebooks, I’ve seen several Thinkpads go through heck and keep ticking. I’ve only had to have one Thinkpad sent off for repair, and that one the user had dropped a 70 pound printer on the screen. The laptop worked fine, but of course the screen was shattered. 
For good prices, it’s hard to beat Dell and their weekly specials…though I’ve heard a couple of people complain about the Dell Inspiron not being very durable. The ones I’ve used worked ok and didn’t seem any less durable than others, but I’ve never carried one everyday. I’ve also never used them for video or audio recording/editing.
No matter which Windows based notebook you get, I’d suggest getting an external sound system like the External USB Soundblaster Audigy2.
I’m not out to sell the Apples, just know from own experience that I am much more productive and happy on them (using both). As for compatibility, might pay to look into that a bit: Word/Office for Mac is better than for Windows and documents are fully cross-platform compatible. You can connect a Mac very easily to an office PC network. I don’t know about CAD software, though.
Well, CAD software is usually Win-centric.
Though I haven’t messed with any MacOS X systems, I remember the older systems were finicky when it came to networking with Windows networks.
It sounds like it’s going to come down to your existing software and budget, JP.
I will be looking into the compatibilty issues. It wouldn’t take much to sway me away from Windows but I don’t want to compound my frustrations with it either. Main thing for me is the CAD software.
I can’t in good conscience recommend Dell laptops. I was the brief owner of an Inspiron 300m earlier this year. Multiple software problems, and the internal Secure Digital memory card damaged my Sandisk card. Dell refused to accept that the system was at fault, treated me like I knew nothing about computers, sent me all around thir support system phone network for days and refused to pay for the shipping when I got fed up and returned the system - within the return period.
(Sandisk, on the other hand, immediately told me they would mail out a new card, no questions asked, even though I bought it from an online third party dealer. The replacement arrived within a week and a half.)
Ah yes, good old ‘Dell Hell’! 
I’m still bitter years later that after two long distance drives for testing and interviewing at the Dell technical support center in Nashville, they wouldn’t hire me and refused to give an explaination.
To add insult to injury, they promptly hired my buddy who just went along for the ride!
I can build a PC with my eyes closed, and can troubleshoot and repair with the best of them… my buddy was a complete novice who still turned to me for help even after his long training period was over and he was taking tech support calls!
Today he’s probably surpassed my level of PC knowledge, especially since I couldn’t care less about keeping up to date anymore… the only good it ever did me was not having to suffer at the hands of idiot tech support people when I had problems!
Oh, and to add some relevant information to this post, I also recommend an external Sound Blaster. 
My new computer - Averatec 3225, Soundblaster external card, and Western Digital external hard drive:
http://www.hostinginseattle.com/bethftp/computer/open_laptop.jpg
http://www.hostinginseattle.com/bethftp/computer/new_laptop_system.jpg
Oh yes, and my trusty Sony microphone and Laughing whistle 
Kind of a wire-y setup but since the external bits will be staying at home (wherever THAT might be) 99% of the time, I’m not worried.
And Altoids!
Yes, like I said, the Dell laptops I’ve used were ok, but weren’t everyday machines. And you guys aren’t the first complaints I’ve heard about them. But you’ve got to admit they have consistenly good prices because of the sheer numbers of machines they throw out there.
I really recommend the IBM Thinkpad.
Yes, good prices, but what’s it worth if they don’t stand behind their products?
The Altoids tin is actually my camera case! 
There’s the reason you didn’t get the job. You don’ t think Dell want someone in tech support who can take a problem into their own hands and really try to help the customer? They just want someone who can follow a script, and get the customer off the phone as quickly as possible.
Anyway, to answer the original poster, I do some recording at home on my laptop, this is my setup:
- Dell Latitude C840 (2Ghz with 640Mb ram)
- Tascam US-122 USB audio/midi interface
- Yamaha MG16/4 mixer
- n-Track Studio http://www.ntrack.com/
The one thing to watch out for if you’re getting into the DAW (digital audio workstation) scene, is the amount of fan noise… There’s nothing more irritating than recording a quiet passage, and the fan starts up in the middle of it.
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A question for the other folks who are using a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX external card…
I tried recording from my MD player onto the laptop today for the first time, using that card. It was a concertina recording from a session, and it came in VERY very crackley. I messed about with settings for a while, no improvement. Finally in disgust I connected the MD player directly to the mic in jack on my laptop and it recorded fine.
Any ideas on what might cause this? I tried two different software programs (goldwave and the included Creative program), line in and mic in on the sound card, and both the headphone and line out settings on my sony MD player. Also rebooted once in case the card hadn’t been detected correctly when I plugged it in.