Hardware/CPU Questions

Hello, I hope I posted this in the correct forum, let me explain a few things first. I am a musician looking to get into computer based recording. I know very little about computers, I am learning as fast as I can, in fact I have learned more in the last week and a half than in the last ten years since I got my first computer.

From what I understand recording software is very demanding on the processor so I have been researching and like the look of Intel's T9600. This seems like it should be sufficient but like I said my knowledge is limited and after reading the sticky about CPUs and learing about FSB ect... I don't know if this is too much or not enough. Which leads me to my next question.

How do I check which hardware is compatible with which? I have ask a few friends and the response I got was "I didn't know you could upgrade laptops, just get a desktop." I have not purchased a laptop yet so I can't give any specs, I have been looking at used computers because I plan to run XP to save processor power(I have also heard certain software is finicky or wont work with Vista) and been eyeing HP's because almost all the models have firewire but I don't have a preference other than I want a 17'' monitor and would rather not use Macs. I am not worried about things like battery life or weight.

I would also like to run an additional monitor in the future, so that brings me to graphic cards. I am clueless here. From poking my nose around I know I need:
1.Firewire
2.At least 2 gigs of ram
3.7200rpm hard drive

Ideally I would like to get a laptop that's a couple years old(on the cheap ) and upgrade what I need to. Is this possible?
Here are a couple of addresses(I can't post links):
Here is an interface I am considering that has software included the requirements are at the bottom.

pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/PreSonus-FireStudio-Project?sku=241723

Here is a link to DAW software to give you an idea of what I will need to handle in the near future, once I get the ins and outs of computer recording I will probably upgrade to Cubase 4.

pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/software/music-production-software

If you could recomend some hardware and give your thoughts(maybe a little advice) I would greatly appreciate it.

I have tried to communicate my concerns in a clear way so if anything is confusing please ask me to clear it up.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for any help you are able to give.

-Craig.

 

Honestly, this is not a good forum for the kind of info you are seeking. A laptop is not the best choice for what you are trying to do, but only because it is much more difficult to add the specialized hardware that you will likely need to it. You would probably do a lot better by starting here:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

 

try here

www.xoticpc.com or http://www.sagernotebook.com/default.php

the np5796/7 is great. also the np8660 is good.

Almost all components are upgradeable and rather easy to do yourself.

 

using an older laptop is fine, but in reality music software can use a lot of processing power.
If your using a 10year old desktop now and you want to upgrade to a laptop, you will see that every laptop sold on the market today can blow away a 10 year old desktop in performance.

I think you have a few good options to choose from.
If your looking for an older system, I would say look at these models:
Dell XPS 1710,
Dell Precision M6300
Dell Inspiron E1705
Inspiron 9300/9400
ASUS G2,
HP 8710W
Clevo M570 series

For a laptop which can do it all, you may want to look at the Sager 9262, it has a desktop quad core processor, and that thing will tear any software apart.

Your friends do not know very much about laptops.
In fact almost every laptop is upgradeable in some shape or form.
Usually most laptops are limited to memory and harddrive upgrades, but as of the last 4 years or so cpu upgrading has become very common.
In todays world you can upgrade any laptop cpu. (Please note you cannot upgrade netbooks, or ultraportables, because they use processors which are not removable)

So if you were to buy a laptop in the store today, I can guarantee you that you can upgrade the cpu, harddrive and memory.

The only limit on upgrading laptops is the graphics card.
About 90% of laptops do not have an upgradeable graphics card.
If you buy a laptop with an integrated graphics card like a Intel X3100, X4500 or nVidia 7100, you cannot upgrade the graphics card to a dedicated card.
Basically the only laptop with an upgradeable graphics card are gaming laptops. But they are very expensive and lost likely out of your price range.

However if you are looking for something with a lot of power, look into the Clevo D901 chassis. It is an extremely powerful system, and it will be able to run your software without a hitch.
The only issue is that its like a 14lb laptop.

If your looking for more portability the latest dual core laptops featuring a monteveina cpu are very nice alternatives.

K-TRON

 

Wow thank you guys. Haha I am not using a 10yr old desktop I meant that was when I started on computers(point, click). I appreciate all the info K-tron.

I been browsing tweakz guide for a while I get bored and have a hard time paying attention to it.

I think I can get a few extra hundo out of my multi track recorders, that should put me up into the big boy category if I need to. I am just a cheap skate and wanted to break even.

Thanks again.

-Craig.