Laptop recommendations??

[Fireball71]

Hey guys,
I need a laptop to run Protools... something that I can possibly use on the road, on long train/bus rides, or when I have to go to other studios to compose stuff.
I just need to be able to use Protools with Reason in rewire mode. I'll be using the laptop with an Mbox 2 mini.
I won't be doing too much recording or mixing on it, just the occasional bouncing of instrument tracks to disk to free up memory or cpu.

My budget is $401. :)
What do you recommend I get?

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by Fireball71

Hey guys,
I need a laptop to run Protools... something that I can possibly use on the road, on long train/bus rides, or when I have to go to other studios to compose stuff.
I just need to be able to use Protools with Reason in rewire mode. I'll be using the laptop with an Mbox 2 mini.
I won't be doing too much recording or mixing on it, just the occasional bouncing of instrument tracks to disk to free up memory or cpu.

My budget is $401. :)
What do you recommend I get?

A bigger budget. Bargain basement laptops are not likely to run Pro Tools well, if at all.

[Fireball71]

Thanks, I hear you... However, I've bought more than one laptop in that price range in the past and edited/mixed more than one album (average 25 audio tracks per session) on them using Protools on Windows Vista, so I know it's possible. And this laptop will be doing less strenuous work than that. I just don't wanna buy something that's incompatible.
I know the budget is low, but I'd like to keep it as low as I can get away with...
Are there any other suggestions, besides raising the budget??

[albee1952]

In that price range, I would look for a used Lenovo T60 or T61. Those can take a second hard drive in place of the optical drive(very handy for PT). Try to find one with the nVidia graphics option(NOT those with the intel graphics). Ebay shows several, and also shows the drive caddy for adding the second recording drive(get a 7200 rpm 2.5" SATA or IDE drive-depending on what the optical drive is).

[Fireball71]

Thanks. I'll look into that, although I'm not a fan of used computers, unless they're factory refurbished.
Any other suggestions?
I was looking at this laptop on bestbuy...
HP Model: g62-219wm THIS PRODUCT WAS DISCONTINUED. See Below for others...

HP Model: G42-415DX
and
HP Model: G42-303DX

What do you guys think?

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by Fireball71

Thanks. I'll look into that, although I'm not a fan of used computers, unless they're factory refurbished.
Any other suggestions?
I was looking at this laptop on bestbuy...
HP Model: g62-219wm
What do you guys think?

page not found

[Fireball71]

Wow. It was there last night, but I guess they discontinued it this morning. Just my luck I guess...

Here are two others that I was considering:
HP Model: G42-415DX
and
HP Model: G42-303DX

Your Thoughts??

[Fireball71]

No opinions on those???

If not, and if I can increase the budget, what's the cheapest new laptop that you'd recommend???

[MikeLip]

Myself, I'd go with an Intel CPU, and as standard chipset as I can.

The HDD is 5400 rpm on the HP models. That likely would be okay for C: but don't count on it for Pro Tools audio.

Seeing the price of the Lenovo T61's (with dedicated vid and 2nd hdd) I'm now considering one myself...

Mike.

[Fireball71]

Thanks Mike and albee.
Any other suggestions on specific models?? I know not everyone here uses $1,000 laptops.
I know the $400 limit was very low, so I'll wait a couple weeks before I buy so I can increase it.
What's the cheapest one you think I can get away with?