I use a pcaudiolabs i5 laptop and it works great. I'd look and see what they are doing to give you a better idea on what works and doesn't. Also, some DAW work better than others. Also, some plug-ins or optimization settings can be a big issue.

I always say, if you don't HAVE to record live, pick a Desktop.
For the same price, you always get more out of a desktop anyway, and it's easier to maintain and upgrade.

But reading your post, give me a clue (maybe falsely) that you are not using your computer only to record. That's maybe why you were disapointed with your performances. A dedicated computer is the best way to keep a stable computer. With no antivirus, web acces, games or anything else than studio tools.

Or you could use a dual boot system (1 for seeing p**n or what ever and the second for recording) hihihi :rolleyes:

desktops come in rack-mountable cases so probably, is just a bit more heavy. the largest difference i weigh up between the two, is pci-e type ports, and custom ability ease. just get a rack-mountable case if you get a desktop. laptops are plenty capable, and convenient. windows 7 is better than 8 so far for audio, run xp if it makes sense for your other software, 7 should not be a terrible jump otherwise.

run xp if it makes sense for your other software, 7 should not be a terrible jump otherwise.

As a quick aside regarding W7 vs XP - more than a few older plugs and vsti's designed for XP 32 won't necessarily work and play well within a W7 64 bit OS.

LOL... ask me how I know. ;)

fwiw
-d.

DonnyThompson, post: 402604 wrote: As a quick aside regarding W7 vs XP - more than a few older plugs and vsti's designed for XP 32 won't necessarily work and play well within a W7 64 bit OS.

LOL... ask me how I know. ;)

Very true. I have win7 pro 64bit which has an XP emulator, many of the older plugs i liked don't play nice even in emulator mode.

Also, i second Pcrecord's comments. If you are not doing live/remote or maybe only doing a small amount, i'd go desktop. I have a customized Sony i5 laptop that originally got for doing remote work and i have ended up not doing a ton of remote stuff. I think if i were to do it all over again i would get a hard disk recorder instead of a laptop for remote stuff.

I bought a laptop just for grins a few months ago. Core i3 processor w/Sandy Bridge technology and Win7. Optimized it right away for audio, no security running in the background, etc. I've been tracking like crazy with this thing. For more than 15 years I've been dedicated to using custom built desktops for the heart of my rig but the laptop allows me to track anything anywhere and it performs just as well as my custom box running XP.

I feel the Sandy Bridge technology has a lot to do with the CPU handling audio so well, and taking the time to optimize the machine for audio is something that just needs to be done anyway if you're going to track and mix with it.

The laptop I bought was an ASUS Aspire which has always impressed me anyway as a "work" computer. Score one for less than $400 at B&H Photo if they still have them.

What about your i3 laptop and Win7 is giving you problems? Win7 has been a rock for me for live concert recordings. It won't necessarily hurt to go back to XP as long as the motherboard and hardware drivers will function within the XP shell-and that is NOT a given with the newest laptops or desktops.

To be completely honest, if you are indeed using PT-M 7.4 then that is going to be a great deal of your problem. It is a bogged down and testy program even if you are using Avid approved hardware-and you are not. You should either upgrade to at least PT 10 or for a more economical solution, download Reaper and give it a try for a bit. The trial is free and full featured and the helpfile is exceptionally complete.

As to old XP VST plugs, one can easily replace them with say the free ReaPlugs from Reaper which are quite good.