Best Laptops for Pro Tools LE

[AWright]

Hi Terry and E - I tracked 4 more songs two nights ago on my new M6811 as described above. I was recording 6 tracks of live drums and one live guitar simultaneously. I was recording directly to the Laptop's C:\ drive, and my external PPA firewire hard drive was "in between" my Digi002 and my computer. I then backed up to the external drive afterwards.

I tried some different things, including what you say above about the "open ended recording time" Terry. I pretty much had to record with HW buffer at 1024 to not have the buffer error show up while tracking (no plugs or any other processing). I have been watching the CPU and page file usage in task manager, and during tracking and playback when I get the errors, the CPU usage never exceeds 30% during these operations. Page file pretty much rides along at just under 300 MB. I am going to call Emachines today and ask about upgrading the firewire port, and ask about the PCMCIA firewire card option that you mention, E.

I'm thinking either this or the RAM upgrade should do the trick, but I'll probably try the firewire fix first. By the way, Terry - I think I have some XP finagling to do to get the USB2.0 port to work - I still can't get that external drive recognized when connected via USB. I haven't pursued it too much, though, as Brian at PPA (pacific pro audio) and others have said the firewire will perform better once I figure out where this bottleneck is.

I'll post later if I get through to Emachines.

Adam

[markus44uk]

Adam and everyone else:

Are we now sure that the M6811 will perform in line with the M6809? I have 12 hours remaining in which I can take advantage of the Best Buy $150 rebate which expires on Aug 28th.

Can anyone confirm that the M6811 is at least as good as the M6809 for 002R systems?

cheers

Markus

[thopman]

Adam: Thanks for the update. It's very helpful, and I look forward to the next installment. Sorry to hear about the USB issues, as I have been pretty much plug-and-play with mine, using the generic Win XP drivers.

Markus: As far as I can tell (not having seen one in person), the M6811 is identical to the M6809 except for the speedier processor , and a *smaller* internal HD . It should perform as well, if not better, than the 6809. There is insufficient info to say whether there have been some subtle tweaks to the USB or firewire ports, etc. (certainly nothing on the website). But from what I'm hearing from Adam and others, it would seem things are pretty much comparable. Having said that, it is a strong, highly-recommended performer, although it will not be entirely worry-free (is anything where PT is concerned?)

--Terry

[markus44uk]

Terry:

The 6811 has an 80 gig internal hard drive. Is that SMALLER than the one in the 6809?

In any case, I bit the bullet and bought one at Best Buy in the States. I'll pick it up when I am over there in September (I live in the UK now and they don't even SELL the 68xx's over here!) Gateway closed-up shop in the UK about 2 years ago.

cheers

Markus

[AWright]

Markus - I've only had the 6811, and that for less than a month, but a few people have commented that it should be as good or better due to the faster processor. Plus the built in DVD recording drive is just icing on the cake. In looking at the buffer error issues, it appears that many people had these with the 6809 as well, but for under $70.00, it looks like we can get a two or three port "Digi approved" firewire PCMCIA card that we can just pop right in (?!). I'll talk to Emachines or at least my good buds over at Best Buy to see if this is correct, but I may pick up a Adaptec Fireconnect laptop card tomorrow, so I should have some info for everyone soon.

Adam

[thopman]

oops. my bad.

Yeah, the 6810 had the smaller drive (60 gb). The 6811 fixes that!

So it's just the faster processor. The '09 had a DVD writer, too, (I think. Haven't burned any DVDs yet).

--Terry

[mcbv]

I just got the 6811 also. From reading the earlier posts regarding external HD, it seemed the consensus, at least with the 6809, was that the best results (Davec, etc.) were obtained by not using an external HD at all,but just using the system HD. Is this true? I know the 002Rack manual says to only use an external audio HD. What's up wit dat??

[markus44uk]

I really want to use this laptop with Reason 2.5 as an adfditional instrument during live gigs with my band. Since the only output is the stereo headphone/audio out, I think I am going to need a PCI card that can hopefully have at least 4 outputs. I seem to remember that someone makes a laptop card that has such a configuration. Anyone remember what it is?

Found it! Echo Indigo DJ Bus II card for $163 on the internet (4 Beats.com)

stylin!!!!

[RonIvan]

Anyone experiment with external SATA drives with a laptop?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...150-023&depa=0

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...146-189&depa=1

Seems like a good alternative to firewire or slow internal ide.

[Sonic Nomad]

Currently I'm running a Desktop 3.2 Prescott with 1GB and 2x 120GB S-ATA on a Gigiabyte Mobo.
I'm very happy with this system and now need to get a laptop urgently for mobility.
I have browsed this thread and don't have time to really check out the diffent options.

I want to speck 17' screen,1.5GB of ram and am looking at the following Dell, Toshiba, Acer, Ferrari, HP and IBM. (These are available in my country.)

The Toshiba range looks good as it's the only one that give me a two international warranty as I'm going to the UK soon this is important.

Budget is not limited. The Toshiba Satelite P20 and Toshiba Tetra range look nice.

Please help.

Sonic