Has anyone any experience using one of these little Asus Eee Laptops for music playback/midi/etc??

At $344, it seems like a steal.
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?...=AS904HABLK010X

The thing that stands out to me is the processor is 1.6 GHz.., depending on what you do you may or may not have issues. Some music apps today have a min processor above 1.6 GHz.

Can the ram be upgraded as well? I see its got one gig.., but it you're going to do any heavy audio work.., and use of effects with some apps can bog down the RAM.., I'd suggest upgrading the RAM in the unit (if you're going to be doing anything heavy outside of simple midi work).



[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 11-11-2008).]

Great windows MP3/lyric player only...
I was just looking at them yesterday.

I got this Acer and it's great. http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?leve...ed-_-Technology

Even the sound card is really good.
DonM

Wow, I just got the exact same one at Costco this morning. $349. Haven't even opened the box yet. Glad to hear you like it, Don. I actually got it to do editing on the Fantom G. I also thought it would be nice to download tutorials and the like and go to an easy chair and read them like a book.

chas


[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 11-11-2008).]

[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 11-11-2008).]

Hi Guys,
I've got one too. I've had mine for about 6 weeks. Luv it.

Battery doesn't last for as long as I'd wish, so either I've got it on a wrong type of battery option ( haven't got a clue what the different settings mean ie prestentation,portable, always on etc)
May need to buy a spare battery. I thought I read somewhere there was an optional 3 or 6 volt battery????

Portability is brilliant, especially with my wireless internet option.

Unfortunately in Aust, they sell for over $600 AUD, but I am expecting a $100 AUD cashback offer.
Can't wait till these little guys take off, & oneday they'll hopefully have faster processors.
Meanwhile works quite well with my midi sequencers, EMC etc

Haven't tried it with BIAB & the Real Drums etc, I use my Dell for that.

best wishes
Rikki

From Donny's KOOL post -
Dell also has a mini laptop. http://www.dell.com/content/products/pro...5037&lid=876264
Isn't storage a problem? I have over 60gb of mp3, then all my midi and I'd like to load a couple programs.

Isnt there a AC adapetr included?

It's included. Battery only lasts about 3 hours, but there is a bigger one available soon.
DonM

Thanx Don......gotta pick one up asap...

Hi Don,
wow,you actually get 3 hours out of yours??
I get nowhere near that. hmmm

What setting do you have yours on with that pop up on the battery icon ( bottom left hand of screen)

Hi Donny,
most of the time I do run it via power adapter. The battery isn't really that much of an issue for me. Most of the time I'm near a power source anyway.
------------------------------------------

I think I also saw mention of the tiny Dell?
Over here they only have a 16 gig harddrive compared to Acer's 120gig. I think my Acer with the Cashback offer also worked out slightly cheaper.

Also forgot to mention I use an old external usb DVD burner to load programs that I've got on DVD rom disks.
I've transferred a lot of my stuff to an 8 gig sd card. Prefer the card to USB stick because it doesn't poke out. Also my portable wireless internet uses 2 out of the 3 usb slots.

best wishes
Rikki

I'll see what it says tonight when I set up.
I'm pretty sure it lasted about 3 hours here at the house when I first got it. I don't use it much on the battery.
DonM

Thanks Don,
if you get a chance, would appreciate it.
I think I initially read something about the battery supposedly lasting 3 hours, I don't think I get much over an hour.
May have something to do with the setting I picked, mine's on "Portable Laptop".
Suppose I should try & work out what the different settings do.
I like reading keyboard manuals, computer manuals yuk. haahaa

Either way, 1 hour or 3 hours I don't care, it's brilliant.

best wishes
Rikki

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Lenovo-Id...il.do#prodspecs


I just ordered this unit 10 minutes ago..I like the extras this has over the Acer..

Good luck with it Fran....
it looks great I GOTTA HAVE ONE!!!

Let the feeding frenzy commence...

Come on Diki..this is the first toy I bought this week..

Fran,

Maybe you can get a deal from one of the going out of business sales.

Are the stores in your area closing?

Al

Al, the $450 priced seemed like a good price..I seen them selling for as much as $700..

No closing stores in my area..

Fran,
not to raise any alarms, but take a look at this, Circuit City has filed for bankruptsy

[url=http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/10/news/companies/circuit_city/index.htm?postversion=2008111008[/url]

ooh, I came second in this one...
They have a list of Circuit City stores that are being liquidated in the CNN article.

Fran, I can't see you doing much better than that on a top quality Laptop. I was hoping for at least a Dual Core processor and 2 gig of ram to run Windows Vista. That's about how much I'm willing to spend on one myself, although being just before Christmas, I may have to give it away as a gift. Darn!

http://tinyurl.com/6g52rr


From $399.00

For $50 more..you get a 160g hard drive instead of an 80g...and 1 gig ram ..instead of 512..

$450 Circuitcity.. better deal..

Exactly Fran thats why I posted it.

My Acer Aspire One is better than your Lenovo IdeaPad.

chas

We'll A/B them....bring it to the Jam Chas

Compare the specs. And Acer comes with Windows XP!!
Even has built-in web camera.
DonM

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Lenovo-Id...il.do#prodspecs

If you are recording a Stereo track from the arranger to the PC and recording a few vocal tracks ANY computer you buy today will be more than enough, especially if you load XP or use the minimal Vista. However I only use the battery as a backup and save option, if I should use electrical power and rarely run a notebook off battery alone.

Pcs have come a long way and especially the Audio realm if you dont use 24 tracks and 12 plug in synths, a ton of EFX you really can get along with anything out there,

I did a ton of tracks on PIIIs with EFX. I am still using a P4 with 2GB in my studio woth no ill effect and my wife is using a $500 AMD Dell for basic tracking with vocals.

I have also a Dell 1705 and recently loaded Sonar 8 and FOUR software synths All of them Dimension Pro with 4 elements in each sample

And play the recording back using MME!!!!!

Its all about video needing all the power now and thats for quicker rendering.

Get yourself a GOOD USB interface. Most of them today are great and comparable to the $500 ones 10 years ago.

WE use the M Audio Fast Track on the notebooks. I use the Prosonus Firebox on the Desktop. The pre amps on the fire box are better but only a real Golden ear could tell the difference at the end of the day. MOst of your end users don;t fall in that category listening to your music on Ipods with $100 earbuds. Just record and have fun!!!


BTW In a Show I was in when I lived in Vegas the Keyboard player used a PC software synth for the Hammond Organ via midi. A LOT lighter then the real thing or even another keyboard. PCs are the great equalizer in CD recording and live playing nowadays.

SOft synths are getting so good, when an SERIOUS arranger comes out in software form with A ton of styles I won't need the Tyros.

Band in the Box doesn;t cut it.

[This message has been edited by Kingfrog (edited 11-12-2008).]

Recession? What recession? There's a recession going on? Oh my, what are we to do?

I think we're all waiting for this to come to market some day soon for sure. A laptop with great arranger software and a controller KB oh my!

What I don't understand is why you guys don't at least look at tablet laptops for performing!

They fold flat and fit very nicely on a music stand, and you can get full sheet music on them and a touch screen as well.

I bought a s/h hand 12" one for $400 AUD and for just displaying charts, or lower level audio tasks it's great.

Dennis

Dennis I think they are great..The link to Indamix was posted..but Diki called it a toy..

Linux also looks like the way to go for "Just music" programs..

I recieved a purchase offer of $800 from the company...I still may get one...

http://www.indamixx.com:80/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1&category_id=1&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=57

Dennis,

Great Idea. I have looked at those tablets, and I want one, but I have not found one for less than $800. Way too much money than I'm willing to pay right now.

I do see one in my future though.

Al

Fran I would disagree with Diki on that, I didn't think it was a toy, looked like a great tool. But having read your post (above) I think I may have not gone deep enough on the website... I thought it was just for actual audio recording...I didn't realise it could do the other PC stuff as well.

Might have to have another look..

Dennis

Main problem I have with it is that it doesn't run the industry standard DAW's... ProTools, Cubase4, Sonor, Logic, Nuendo etc..

While Linux offers much in the way of audio prioritizing in the OS, the apps that run on it are in their infancy, and don't offer as well tested, powerful and elegant audio solutions. Things may improve in time, but for now, I'm more concerned with the APP than the OS it runs on...

Using Linux dramatically reduces your choices when it comes to audio tools of choice, plug-ins that run on PCI cards (no UAD Linux, no Duende, no TC stuff), and a VERY limited selection of VSTi's that run reliably on it...

But, what the hey! It LOOKS neat...

http://www.pcworld.com/article/151402-3/the_10_most_overrated_products.html


Overrated: Mini Notebooks; Underrated: Ultraportable Laptops

A serviceable, compact notebook for around $500? It sounds tempting if you're on a tight budget and have modest processing needs. Mini-notebooks are small and easy to love. But try doing anything fancier than sending e-mail or composing a document, and you'll long to upgrade to an Etch A Sketch. Intel's Atom CPU gives very small devices de­­cent power—but hundreds of bucks to do a handful of tasks adequately? Mmph.

Meanwhile, full-blooded laptops that can easily outperform a mini-notebook are getting more affordable every day. For ex­­ample, Lenovo's X61, a 12.1-inch, 3.6-pound ultraportable, sells for about $1000. It offers more flexibility and will resist obsolescence better than any current or near-future mini-notebook will

This little guy kicks butt!!!

I received my Lenovo IdeaPad S10 today..I have set it up...and it handles everything I have thrown at it ..so far..Lucky , I think you are wrong on this..You are selling it way short..

It has a gig of ram , and a 160 g 5400 HD..

Tomorrow I will test it recording multiple tracks and running soft synths with a USB controller....If this works..You should consider this for your music needs...

My only concern ..no CD drive makes it impossible to install protected programs like Roland Hypercanvas, and Native Instrument B4...also periodic verification via CD....

I will use a USB CD drive to install and hope I can do the verification via thumb drive...

The quality of the S10 (construction) looks much better than the other lower price brands I looked at...so far $100 extra is worth the difference...

Forgot to mention how I set it up...

I loaded 12,000 MP3's..

I loaded 150,000 sequences..

Copernic desktop search..for easy searching of songs..

Skype..to use with the built in cam and built in mic..

VanBasco to play sequences...

WinAmp to play audio and video..


All of the above work perfect...

Tomorrow I will instal Mixcraft4...a super recoring program with it's own host and softsynths..

I also have EMC Styleworks loaded..with my 12,000 style library (roland)..

My G70 internal card data is also on board..


Doesn't it sound like it will do more than send an email..

PC World mag (December) just ran an article and comparison on 5 mini-notebooks. They featured the Acer Aspire One, Lenovo IdeaPad S10, Asus Eee PC 1000H, Dell Inspiron Mini9, and MSI Wind NB U100. Highest ratings were given to the Acer, Lenovo, and Asus.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/152260/mininotebooks_under_500.html

HP makes one that I've been looking at... HP Mini 1000 Series.

Has anyone loaded Winamp on one of these? Shouldn't be a problem but I'd be interested in how it sounds.

Glenn

Oooops, just saw you add-on, Fran. Sounds good to me. Think I'll order mine tomorrow.

150,000 sequences...

At 3 min per song, that's 312 DAYS of nonstop playing time...

Of which probably 3 hours is worth listening to...!

But it's memory well used, eh?

Diki...
Give Fran a break. He may have meant Sequins.
Eddie

Some folks save stamps..I save sequences...and besides that I have a lot of memory..

BTW: I have worked with at least 25 girls and a few guys..I have always saved their specific sequences in their own folders..key specific and what ever arrangements we worked on...

Would you believe some drop in at random times and I have material ready to go..just like we use to do..

Nothing wrong with having too much....much better than not enough...

Besides , sequences don't take a lot of memory..

My wife DOES use hers. She creates playlists cancategires. Saves a lot of juggling CDS and or dealling with buttons, She can concentrate on playing 88 keys or the guitar.

I can't see spending $1200 for a "PC" when you can spend half that and have $600 for REAL software with features that go well beyond Audacity and some of the other open source free software for even $150 and Windows which although I am not a big fan on it does allow for millions of software choices including the ability to run your business on it/
, get online anywhere and a plethora of other things including everything the INDIEMIX does.

For $600 I don;t think you could go wrong.

Good timing with this thread. My wife & I are looking for a laptop.

I am assuming that these laptops all have wireless internet access ?

DanO, this Lenovo IdeaPad S10..is remarkable..I have loaded the same set up, I use on my Pentium 4..laptop..

I have run the torch test and not a single glitch..

I have Norton virus running..
Copernic running..

even running on line...

I can use my WinAmp, VanBasco..at the same time...

I am even using Mixcraft4..with a keyboard controller (EMU xboard 61 or G70) with VST's and Asio drivers...including the Edirol UA-1ex...

I also have swapped files from a USB thumb drive to the Lenovo..while playing MP3's...

This little thing is multi tasking...and I didn't expect it to do this...

I have been torchering it for 8 straight hours without a hic up...

This has 1 gig ram, and I will bump it up to 2 gig ram..and it has a 160 g..5400 HD..
the standard Atomic 270 processor...

So is that a yes on the internet access ?

yes

I am taking to work tonight..I will use it lightly though..as a duo ..Kath and I..we won't use but a few MP3's..

It will be used for breaks mostly tonight and tomorrow night...