Current top of the line Windows Laptop for Protools

[JCBigler]

What's the current best solution for running Protools on a Windows Laptop?

I need to buy a new computer in the next week. Looking at the new Lenovo P50 mobile workstation.

Anything else out there in the sub $2,000 range that is better? I would ideally like to have an onbaord DVD burner, but it seems those are far and few between these days. Quad-core i7, 32GB of RAM, SSD, and at least a 15.4" screen.

[albee1952]

Don't hate this PC user for suggesting this, but I would buy a 2012(or so) MacBook Pro i7 with maxed RAM(I believe that era had both firewire AND thunderbolt). When HD/Native was released, I watched a demo done on this spec MBP(HDN card was in an express card chassis) that ran a 5.1 movie soundtrack with video and a good 150 audio tracks at the 128 buffer. Color me impressed

[JCBigler]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Don't hate this PC user for suggesting this, but I would buy a 2012(or so) MacBook Pro i7 with maxed RAM

hmmm...So a refurb 4 year old Mac Book Pro?

That was running what PT10 back on that demo? Is that really going to keep up with the demands that Protools is going to require over the next 4 or 5 years?

[Josh Voyles]

Originally Posted by JCBigler

hmmm...So a refurb 4 year old Mac Book Pro?

That was running what PT10 back on that demo? Is that really going to keep up with the demands that Protools is going to require over the next 4 or 5 years?

I sure hope so because I'm running a maxed 2012 Macbook Pro.

In the end, computers are considerably more powered for audio use than they need to be. That said, Pro Tools has ended use for older OS systems and it's possible that Apple could stop updating older computers to encourage users to buy new machines.

The 2012 line of Macbook Pros and Mac Mini Server are some of the best performing audio computers. They user end-user upgradable, durable and VERY cost effective now days.

[Southsidemusic]

Well said --^^--

For the MBP's we bought late 2013 we have got a lot of work done and they have paid for themselves hundred times over but as they are stuck at 8 and 16 RAM the models before these retinas are a better buy as Josh said, you can update them easily and swap the optical bay for a fast secondary SSD etc and none of this can be done on newer MBP's.

You can find one for a super good price and you will get a few more years out of it easy. As long as the OSX is not too old you can keep upgrading RAM and hard drives when needed and the MBP will just keep running.

[JCBigler]

[CME]

Does it have to be portable? You can put together a 2009 Mac Pro for 1/2 of that, and it would run circles around current laptops.

Used 2009 dual CPU models can be found for around $5-600 if you're patient. I just bought 2 x 2.66 ghz 6-core procs for $100. Added a sata 3 pcie card for my ssd's, a USB 3.0 pcie card, and an r9 280x video card. Runs great. Have probably less than $999 in it.

[JCBigler]

Originally Posted by CME

Does it have to be portable?

Yes it has to be portable. I use this laptop for recording and mixing, and other duties, such as system tuning and remote control for consoles for live audio.

[CME]

Understood. Just making sure.

[JCBigler]

I'm about 73% of the way to a MacBook Pro.

It's either a brand new current spec Lenovo P50, or a refurbished 4 year old MacBook Pro. I'm going to pull the trigger today.

You guys better be right about this.