Which computer is best?

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:48 am

I'm about to buy a laptop to run Cubase and later on Mbox 2 on, and I'm down to two options. The problem is that I don't know much about computers so you could give me your advice as to which one is better of these two it would be great:

1. Fujitsu Siemens Amilo 2548, 2,2 GHz AMD Turion64 X2 TL-64
2048MB DDR2 (2x1024MB)
250GB 5400Rpm

or

2. Fujitsu Siemens AMILO Pi 2530
Processor 1,8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7100
2048MB DDR2 (2x1024MB)
160GB 5400Rpm

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:25 am

I don't know about Cubase, but Digidesign is particular when it comes to PCs and their components. If you think you're going to go that route later down the road, make sure you research it on Digidesign's website (under Support).

But if you're going to start off with Cubase, instead of switching to Pro Tools, why not upgrade your Cubase? You might end up saving money.

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:25 pm

fourone3 wrote:

But if you're going to start off with Cubase, instead of switching to Pro Tools, why not upgrade your Cubase? You might end up saving money.

And you might end up with a far more flexible and powerful system too...

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:13 pm

yeah that's probably true, but which computer would you recommend of the two?

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:27 pm

I'm not sure about the two models you have suggested but I personally wouldn't recommend a Fujitsu Siemens laptop.

I have an Intel based Amilo Pro V2040 and from day one I had bother. It may have been a hardware issue but the keyboard on it doesn't function properly, missing out random keys when you press them. Also the keys are pretty fragile.

I no longer use this so maybe the newer one's are ok.

I recently purchased an Acer Travelmate 5520 laptop with an AMD Turion 64 x2 CPU, 2048MB RAM and it runs very smoothly with now problems, even with vista installed! Have a look at this laptop and see if it would do you.

Hope this helps.

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:39 pm

Of the two I would recommend the second one. The Core 2 Duos smoke equivalent AMD processors and even though the GHz are different, I would guess that the Intel would still have the edge.

But as mentioned above, if you ARE going to go to a PT system, you need to run the specs by digidesign first.

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:56 pm

Mbox Requirements

http://209.10.227.216/index.cfm?langid=100&navid=54&itemid=24354

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:58 pm

Mbox Req.

http://209.10.227.216/index.cfm?langid=100&navid=54&itemid=24354

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:01 pm

I'm giving up on the whole PC thing I think and I'm gonna buy a Macbook with 2,0 ghz dual core. That way I know I'm getting quality and I know that it'l work great with audio. And they're only about 300 dollars more than the ones I mentioned in the beginning. What do you think?

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:30 am

HI,
well that USED to be the answer however they DO NOT have TI chipset firewire anymore.

so alot of interfaces WONT work...

do a google serach "pro audio laptop"

you will find what you need starting $1100.

you NEED a Texas Instruments Native firewire chipset laptop for audio.

Scott
ADK

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:08 am

Doesn't the new Leopard OS have issues with Pro Tools as of now? Or has that been taken care of?

Scott, are you saying the FW chipset is required for the interface, the external hard drive, or both?

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:16 am

hI,
YEs Leopard has issues with PT.
FW chipset is most important to the Audio interface.
Ext drives generally work (to some degree) even on the crappiest of chipsets

Scott

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:06 pm

I just found out also that the macs tend to crash a lot so making music on them can be a bit of a nightmare, so I'm back to an Intel core duo 2,0 ghz. That should do the trick easily too, I'm not very demanding when it comes to how many tracks I use at the same time etc.

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:19 pm

I have another question by the way, what laptops to you have that you're recording music on and that you're happy with?

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:58 am

When did the MacBooks switch firewire chipsets?

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