Finally Stepping Up…

The cheap old laptops i’ve been using since i first started this whole music business are finally not cutting it anymore… Live 7 is too hefty to write tracks without spending half my time freezing and unfreezing everything and now Live 5 won’t even start anymore… i’ve uninstall/reinstalled several times and deleted all my cache and temp files… but it still locks up when loading “scrollU00.tif” every time.

That and i constantly have to beat on it to get the monitor to stop fritzing out… And i just know one day that ribbon cable is just gonna break… and with my luck it’ll probably happen in the middle of a set.

So after doing a bunch of research last night, I’ve decided to buy this puppy today:
www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-P…Detail.do

‘cuz fuckit… that’s why. The only complicate part is going to be getting rid of Vista and putting XP pro on it… but i have friends out there… contrary to popular belief.

If anybody thinks this computer purchase is a BAD idea or has something better for less, speak now or forever hold your “piece.” =Þ

Tags: ableton, apple, computer, pc

Monday, April 7th, 2008 Uncategorized

1 Comment to Finally Stepping Up…

13 Comments
add a comment

Pimpy
online 250

Mon, April 7, 2008 – 11:04 AM
that’s a decent computer for the price, but you could certainly do better. I don’t like the integrated video cards, which share system memory instead of having their own on-board memory. And the front side bus is a little slow at 667, when they are at 800 and above now. But really, it shouldn’t make too much of a difference unless you are really pushing the limits (which you might with heavy music processing). Finally, you don’t really need to get a laptop with 3 Gig of memory, you can get one with 1 G and add your own memory for much much cheaper.

I believe Dell lets you choose XP instead of Vista.

Overall its a nice laptop. I just have a hard time buying computers from CC or Best Buy.

Check out slickdeals.net They always have coupons and tips on where to find the good bargains. Also search the internet, you can avoid paying tax.
delete this comment

Swami
online 263

Mon, April 7, 2008 – 11:22 AM
thanks!

I should not, the ONLY reason i’m considering buying this from a retailer is because i have a show, day after tomorrow, and my current laptop is kinda in the shitter.

That does suck about the video card thing but i think the 3 gigs of ram are good for me since I’d like to be able to render 3-D stuff and work on motion graphics at home for once.
delete this comment

Pimpy
online 250

Mon, April 7, 2008 – 11:47 AM
well in that case you definitely want a laptop with a Nvidia or ATI Radeon card, and not the Intel on-board card. It makes a huge difference when you are doing 3-D modeling and high end graphics work. Yes, 3 Gig is nice, all I’m saying is that you can buy the other 2G yourself for $30, instead of the extra $150 premium most laptop manufacturers charge.
delete this comment

Swami
online 263

Mon, April 7, 2008 – 11:51 AM
Ah… got it.
delete this comment

Swami
online 263

Mon, April 7, 2008 – 12:57 PM
well in the end i decided on the AMD version

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-P…Detail.do

because it comes with the aftermarket video card and it’s a dual 2 gig to boot…

I, and many of my friends (possibly BECAUSE of my friends), have always been Intel fans… but with the kind of work i do i wonder if i’m really going to even notice a difference… on the bright side AMD seems better suited for 3D graphics so i guess i got that going for me.

in the end it boiled down to more features and better speed for less monies… Hopefully i won’t live to regret it.
delete this comment

friendly_jen
offline 162

Mon, April 7, 2008 – 2:36 PM
checked out
my employee discount, but doesn’t look like the deals are that good for last years models although the specs are similar.

We do get a decent deal on flat pannel monitors so I’m buying a new 19″ widescreen!
delete this comment

friendly_jen
offline 162

Mon, April 7, 2008 – 2:44 PM
you should also check out frys
because they often undercut circut city or best buy. There website is http://www.outpost.com. They have the hp line in store, but doesn’t appear they are on the website. I know b/c I was just there yesterday.
delete this comment

Swami
online 263

Mon, April 7, 2008 – 3:55 PM
i spent a lot of time on the frys website last night and noticed the same thing… actually i’m gonna need to go there before long to get an expresscard-to-pcmcia/cardbus adapter so i’ll check out their deals when i get there… i have 14 days to return this thing after all.
delete this comment

Billy D
offline 261

Mon, April 7, 2008 – 5:39 PM
Pamela recently got a similar HP model and is very happy with it. SHe has the AMD processor, 2GB Ram, and 160GB drive. I’ve done some work on it and the only problems I notice are from Vista (what a hunk of crap). Some of it is probably because I’m not used to the OS, but other parts of it are just plain annoying.

The only recommendation I would make are:
Look for the 17″ monitors. I have a 17 now and really like the amount of realestate it gives you. Pamela is rather happy I convinced her to do the same.
Shoot for a lesser HD size if it will save you money then buy/upgrade to the 7200rpm drive (standard rpm in those things are 5400). I’ve heard peeps say the faster HD is equiv to a 30 – 40% speed boost. Something to consider if you are doing heavy graphics and music.
Third is look at Fry’s. Pam’s was $700 with rebate. Granted she has 1GB less Ram, smaller HD, but the fastest AMD processor, nVidia graphics card, and 17″ monitor. She also got it about 6 months ago so…
delete this comment

james
offline 124

Mon, April 7, 2008 – 5:52 PM
That’s funny
I went to Best Buy today to buy a laptop since Comp USA is no more… I wanted the one you got, but they only had the floor model. I had to get a little more expensive 17″… Worth it in all I think.
delete this comment

Swami
online 263

Mon, April 7, 2008 – 9:59 PM
Copying all my music shits over to the new computer right now… Vista is gonna have to go, but aside from that my only complaint is that the 1280 x 800 max resolution leaves litte room for vertical play in ableton. Which is kinda suck, really.
delete this comment

CurtIS
offline 107

Tue, April 8, 2008 – 7:30 AM
saying goodbye to CPU issues
Is the most liberating thing thats happened to my music production, ever. After years of dealing with CPU overload, the only question I ask my self is, why didn’t I upgrade sooner?
Good Job, and may the force be with you in the production of your new work.
delete this comment

Swami
online 263

Tue, April 8, 2008 – 8:47 AM
OK now i gotta figure out how to put XP on it and still keep the fancy schmancy “quick-start” media center feature…