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#416785 - 02/15/16 04:26 AM
Re: need advice on purchasing a laptop
[Re: abacus]
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Senior Member
Registered: 03/02/06
Posts: 7143
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Tony, most independent computer stores will custom make any kind of PC you wish. My son has not purchased a PC in 30 years - he built every one of the 20 or so he has owned. You can purchase all the components from a number of online stores, then it's just a matter of plugging them in and installing the software, which is pretty much self installing. Gary  Most computer parts are not tested, so you need to keep in mind that about 10% of your ordered part will fail you, you will have to figure out what part failed you and send it back for replacement.. Also the combination of memmory, CPu, mainboard is critical when it comes to timing, you can not just use every CPU with every type of memmory on a mainboard.. this combination is what used to create many of the BSOD's.. and still hangs your PC.. In this time, its probably even cheeper to buy a Dell then build your own, Dell comes with great warranty and service, well worth the few extra dollars. Building computers is more then just plugging all parts in.. Sure if you're lucky everything goes okay, but if you are not, then you are in trouble. In the olden days you could end up with problems, however these days all the compatible CPU, Ram details etc. are available on the Motherboard manufactures website, so no problems there. The main hiccups (If they do occur) are with graphics cards, however for a music machine the on-board graphics are all that is needed. Since Windows 7 the OS pretty much sort’s things out on its own, (As long as your connected to the internet when installing (Or shortly after) only occasionally asking for a driver disc. Been working with all types of computers for over 35 years and been building PCs since the late 80s (When you did have to know the ins and outs) and these days you can pretty much build one blindfold. (The main thing these days is tweaking the software/firmware (Overclock etc.) to get the last ounce of performance out of the machine) The OP will probably be better off with a laptop/hybrid (Which you can’t really build yourself) and there are plenty of manufactures that have base laptops which you can specify what you want and they will fit the parts in the laptop for you. (The most sensible route unless you know the ins and outs of laptops) Bill the compatibillity list for memmory modules taht have been tested with a mainboard is still quite small, mostly it are the more expensive brands... They just cant test with all of them.. With current prices there is not much reason to build yourself unless you want a highend machine, i would allways choose for the extra service of companies like dell these days..
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#416850 - 02/15/16 07:25 PM
Re: need advice on purchasing a laptop
[Re: Mark79100]
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Senior Member
Registered: 10/23/06
Posts: 1661
Loc: USA
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Thanks for everyone's response here. I've been reading it every day, but, mostly I've been laptop shopping and "reading, reading, reading" reviews, specs, etc. and trying to learn my PA3x in between.
I'm in "laptop overload" at this point. Gary said pretty much just buy anything and make it work. I'm on the verge of doing that, but then I think about using the notebook for DJ jobs, and singing Karaoke on the nursing home gigs like everyone on the planet is doing now. I have about 2,000 Karaoke songs so that's a real good thought.
I'm still looking, and your advice here is extremely helpful as musicians, I believe, have special audio needs.
Mark
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#416852 - 02/15/16 07:47 PM
Re: need advice on purchasing a laptop
[Re: Bachus]
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Senior Member
Registered: 10/23/06
Posts: 1661
Loc: USA
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Choose an audio interface with a multiclient ASIO driver, whichj allows you to get audio from several sources at the same time I wasn’t aware of an “audio interface” until you mentioned it here. I thought I was going to have to listen to my music through that sound card that comes on the motherboard. I can’t view the Youtube clip. What is the name of this one (that you recommend?). For what you want to do with your PC anything with an intel i3 and up will probably do.. i would go for an i5 with 8GB memmory to be future proof... I decided on an Intel i5 (over the extra price of an i7) and 8-16 GB of memory. You also want to go for windows 10, it comes with a great antivirus tool build in.. Definitely getting Windows 10 I still would go for an USB audio interface, its nothing more then a soundcard running outside your laptop that offers you high quallity sound.. So then, it connects through the USB port and the software directs it to bypass the motherboard sound card? go for a build in SSD, that really speeds things up, atleast 256GB to be futureproof.. I’m going for the 256 GB SSD EDIT: do you want physcical midi, or is midi over USB sufficient? Bachus…..I’m not sure what this means. Mark
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#416859 - 02/15/16 10:07 PM
Re: need advice on purchasing a laptop
[Re: Mark79100]
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Senior Member
Registered: 10/23/06
Posts: 1661
Loc: USA
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I've been gravitating toward Dell and now I'm reading here that you guys are keen on Dell too. A couple of stores said to consider Asus instead of Dell so I'm wondering about that now. These are the main specs that I’m pretty sure I want/need: Intel 6th Generation 15 or 17 memory: 8-16 GB additional memory slots hard drive: 256 GB SSD screen: 15.6” screen resolution: 1920 x 1080 Windows 10 USB 2 and 3 Are my missing anything? Anything else I should know? Now what is the next step? Try and find a ready-built one in the store or order one from Dell without seeing the design? I spoke to Dell today and they said the Inspiron line is your average middle-of-the-road machine. That the XPS is much better made and the components will last for years. It’s also about $1,300!!! This is one I’m considering. Dell computer Questions: Should I go for a 2-in-1 (laptop to tablet)? touch screen? is there much difference between a dual-core and a quad-core? Does Windows 10 come with an “imaging system” so that I don’t need to buy Acronis? Is there a simpler way to go about all this. As Ed said in the other thread……”Need more hours in the day.” Mark
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#416863 - 02/15/16 11:45 PM
Re: need advice on purchasing a laptop
[Re: Mark79100]
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Senior Member
Registered: 03/02/06
Posts: 7143
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This is one I’m considering. Dell computer Questions: Should I go for a 2-in-1 (laptop to tablet)? touch screen? is there much difference between a dual-core and a quad-core? Does Windows 10 come with an “imaging system” so that I don’t need to buy Acronis? Is there a simpler way to go about all this. As Ed said in the other thread……”Need more hours in the day.” Mark Thats a great laptop with great specs, super usabillity and Dell service. Having the tablet function on it makes it easy to use in live situations if you ever wanted to (touchscreen) or just on the bench for browsing the forums as a tablet, while still having decent QWERTY keys.. However for a music setup with laptop on a stnd, this works perfect as a tablet, on the bench on your lap its a tiny bit heavy and needs to rest on your lap (but so would any other laptop) all in all i personally like this formfactor. A quadcore is only faster if the software is written to use the extra Cores, most of the professional Music software like DAWs and VSTs uses the extra Cores and gives you extra performance.. However for the way you intend to use it a dual core might work to.. For images Acronis is great, however there is also a lot of freeware software thats just perfect for making images of windows 10 and does not cost money. Make sure to not make the image on your local SSD. If that fails the image is gone to. In the LINK is information about system backups in Windows 10 The audio interface i advised was a focusrite Scarlet Solo, its $99 and tested as best. It does not have physical midi, as in 5pin DIN connectors. However there are other interfaces that have that to.
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#416866 - 02/16/16 02:07 AM
Re: need advice on purchasing a laptop
[Re: Mark79100]
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Senior Member
Registered: 07/21/05
Posts: 5393
Loc: English Riviera, UK
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Since Windows 7 the OS pretty much sort’s things out on its own, (As long as your connected to the internet when installing (Or shortly after) only occasionally asking for a driver disc. Bill…..with Windows 10, do I need to do any “installing” because I only have a “dial-up” connection…..no DSL. The OP will probably be better off with a laptop/hybrid Are you talking about a 2-in-1? A laptop that converts to a tablet? Thanks Hi Mark When you buy your laptop make sure it has been fully updated before they send it out to you, that way any software installation will just be any software you decide to put on it. Looking at the Specs, (Dell) it doesn’t seem to come with a DVD drive for software installation, so pick up an external USB drive up as well. (They cost every little these days) 2 in 1 are great, as you have all the convenience of a tablet, with all the advantages of a Desktop. (Ideal if you play out live) I am surprised you are still on dial up, as these days Broadband (DSL) usually works out way cheaper and allows you to do much more. Most modern keyboards can send Midi Data over a USB cable so that you do not need to buy a separate Midi interface for your computer, (You will still need Midi cables if you wish to connect your keyboard to other keyboards or module’s) plus some will even receive digital audio data via USB so that you won’t even need an audio interface for your computer, (All the D/A conversion is done in the keyboard) you will need to have a look in your keyboards manual to see what it can & cannot do. (If it can’t do any of this, than Midi/Audio interfaces can be picked up quite cheaply from your local pro music store) Have fun with your purchase Bill
_________________________
English Riviera:
Live entertainment, Real Ale, Great Scenery, Great Beaches, why would anyone want to live anywhere else (I�m definitely staying put).
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#418629 - 03/22/16 11:30 PM
Re: need advice on purchasing a laptop
[Re: Mark79100]
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Senior Member
Registered: 03/02/06
Posts: 7143
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I pulled this thread back up, because I'm having trouble with my new laptop. I bought a "loaded" Dell 2 in 1, touchscreen,6th gen i5, 8 GB of ram, 256 SS hard drive, Windows 10 home.
Can anyone of you help me with these two problems.....in "words?"
1) the touchscreen doesn't work half of the time. If I'm correct, whatever icon I see on the screen can be activated by either the cursor or by my finger. That's not what it's doing for me. Oftentimes I can't even close out a window (X in right hand corner) using my finger (but it closes out using the cursor). I've tried all kinds of tapping the screen, finger combinations and different levels of pressure.
2) the cursor. Sometimes when I'm working the touchpad the cursor doesn't move. When it does move, it lasts about 3 seconds and then stops dead in its tracks.
I was on the phone with Dell techies for two 1 hour phone calls diagnosing it over the phone. The first one helped me adjust all settings that might have anything to do with it. The second one (today) updated the BIOS over the phone to see if that worked. The third one I happened to briefly talk to said it's probably the drivers. My response was how can the drivers be bad on a new Windows install?
My dilemma is I have 10 days left to tell Dell to replace this computer before I'm stuck with it.
Any comments or suggestions appreciated.
Mark Since Dell customer support could not solve your problems, and you have records for that to prove it.. I would vote for a replacement.. (otherwise i would try and callibrate the touchscreen again, but that would not resolve the freezing of the cursor)
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