KVR Audio

hhuang9611 · Post by **hhuang9611** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:24 pm

Hi all,

So I gradually feel that my needs are gonna exceed the capability of my laptop and I think I might consider getting a new one in the future. But I would like to hear some ideas from you guys. Here are some thoughts of mine:

Basically, I want a laptop with powerful CPU, which is also light weight and has great battery life. I know, it's a lot to ask. I'm just being ideal here.

I could get a Macbook Pro but I feel like it's overpriced. OS wouldn't be a problem though because I used to switch between Mac and Windows. But I've also heard some complains about the battery life.

I recently played with ThinkPad X1 for a while and feel good about it, very light and good battery life. However, I am unsure about how much its CPU can handle. (it's not mine so I cannot test) Sure it has i7 but it's not quad-core and it ends with "U" (ultra-low power if I remember correctly). And this is basically the same question I have for other Ultrabook like surface laptop.

I am currently interested in PCAudio Lab, who is said to be dedicated to PC for producer. But haven't researched too much on them. Anybody has some comments on this?

Also, I noticed that there seems to be NO laptop that contains a powerful CPU WITHOUT a fancy GPU. It seems like whenever CPU gets better, there will be a better GPU companies it. But I don't need a good GPU, as far as I'm concerned and GPU is not cheap, so I feel like wasting money on it.

Anyway, what do you guys suggest? I am open to all kinds of opinions.

P.S. I do have a desktop though, which handles all my needs but I need a laptop for portable production which happens more and more recently.

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:53 pm

That’s an interesting observation about the GPU. I just bought a new laptop myself, but I work in animation and needed something with a decent GPU. It was my experience that very few laptops even offer a high end GPU anymore, and I had to go with an Alienware gaming laptop to get what I wanted. I also wanted a 17” screen, which seems to be less common than it was a few years ago, and a decent amount of RAM and internal storage.

I ended up with a new Alienware 17”, i7, Nvidia GTX 1070, 32GB RAM, 512 SSD, and a 1TB 7200RPM second drive. And I got all of that for way less than an equivalent MacBook Pro would have cost, had they even sold anything comparable. (I do also have a 2015 MBP though.)

I don’t know if any of that helps you to decide, but I guess the main thing I’d suggest is to just ignore the GPU if you don’t need it. Look at the specs which are actually meaningful to you and make a decision based on those.

garryknight · Post by **garryknight** » Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:02 pm

You could look at the Microsoft Surface Pro. It has an integrated on-board Intel graphics chip. But that doesn't particularly make it less expensive, though it is somewhat lighter than most laptops. You do, however, have to buy the keyboard (called a typepad) separately.

zenophilix · Post by **zenophilix** » Tue Jun 12, 2018 10:13 pm

I'd look at some of the Lenovo stuff between $4-600. Pretty decent value there. Personally, I'd trade Windows for a Macbook in a heartbeat, but that's just me. Don't want to start any OS wars here.

Anlon · Post by **Anlon** » Fri Jun 15, 2018 11:09 am

The Acer Aspire A7 series might be what you're looking for. I have the predecessor of this model and I'm quite happy with it: Aspire 7 A717-71G, Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2.8 GHz; Quad-core, Intel HM175, DDR4 16 GB Up to 32 GB (maximum),1 TB hard drive, 256 SSD, 17.3" Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Up to 6 GB GDDR5 dedicated graphics memory, 4-cell 3220 mAh Li-Polymer 6 hrs battery life.

spendthrift2 · Post by **spendthrift2** » Sat Jun 16, 2018 3:47 am

I don't know that much about it, but have you considered splitting the cost between a less expensive laptop and an external soundcard? I don't know if that would even accomplish.. nevermind. Maybe you shouldn't listen to me.

The reason this suggestion comes to mind is because I wanted an i7 processor laptop when I was experiencing crackles and dropping out of certain instruments (specifically, the interplanetary trip pad) in Ableton Live 10 30 day free trial. I thought I needed one. But I contacted support about the issue because my laptop met the minimum system requirements. So, long story short, they helped me to adjust my laptop so that it wouldn't crackle and drop out. It was a processor state issue located in advanced power settings. My default setting was a lousy 5%. They had me turn it up to 100% and now I have no problems.

But when I thought I had a problem one of my ideas was an external soundcard instead of upgrading to a new laptop.

generaldiomedes · Post by **generaldiomedes** » Sat Jun 16, 2018 5:15 am

What is a typical project file for you? Primarily softsynths or lots of sampled instruments? How many instances? Lots of CPU intensive effects?

i7-8750h is out and is benchmarking 23% higher than 7700HQ. Plenty of affordable gaming rigs out now with it (I'm an MSI guy myself).

I run a lot of instances with CPU intensive synths (u-He, Avenger, Serum, etc.) and I'll take all the CPU I can get. Currently running i7-4720HQ and my next move will be to the 8750H. Don't be afraid of getting the GPU along with the 'gamer' laptop, they are still cheaper than 'workstation' laptops. If you can find a business or home laptop with an 8750H .. good luck!

Spin Boyz · Post by **Spin Boyz** » Sat Jun 16, 2018 7:12 am

I was about to buy a new laptop, but started hearing about coil whine issues in the Dell XPS 13 and other ultrabooks.

generaldiomedes · Post by **generaldiomedes** » Sat Jun 16, 2018 3:21 pm

hhuang9611 wrote: I am currently interested in PCAudio Lab, who is said to be dedicated to PC for producer. But haven't researched too much on them. Anybody has some comments on this?

Main difference between these and a typical gaming rig is that they come with a 1 TB SSHD standard, which is pretty essential if you have a lot of sample libraries, and they have an onboard audio interface (which is actually tough to find). They ship with i7-8750H, which is good. The highest priced rig actually comes with a desktop CPU (i7-8700 or 8700K) but that is going to give you another 15-20% performance minimum at the expense of weight, heat and battery life.

Looking at reviews, these suckers are heavy and the battery life isn't that good. Tehcnically, they look great.

hhuang9611 · Post by **hhuang9611** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 10:59 pm

Thanks guys! Thank you all for your replies.

I will take them into consideration when I am finally determined to upgrade my current laptop (Probably during black Friday?)

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 12:03 am

Have a look at SCAN Computers. They built my current laptop which I'm still very happy with after 3 years. I have one of their 3XS systems ... https://www.scan.co.uk/3xs

There's a thread with more detail here:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=433020&p=6058446&h ... s#p6058446

hhuang9611 · Post by **hhuang9611** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 7:39 pm

Looks great...The only problem is that I am based on the US and seems their delivery cannot reach here

thecontrolcentre wrote:Have a look at SCAN Computers. They built my current laptop which I'm still very happy with after 3 years. I have one of their 3XS systems ... https://www.scan.co.uk/3xs

There's a thread with more detail here:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=433020&p=6058446&h ... s#p6058446

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Mon Jun 18, 2018 8:14 pm

hhuang9611 wrote:Looks great...The only problem is that I am based on the US and seems their delivery cannot reach here
thecontrolcentre wrote:Have a look at SCAN Computers. They built my current laptop which I'm still very happy with after 3 years. I have one of their 3XS systems ... https://www.scan.co.uk/3xs

There's a thread with more detail here:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=433020&p=6058446&h ... s#p6058446

I think they're called ADK in the US.

Laptop Recommendations?